On Friday, December 13, 2024, the Friday prayer was held at Sheikh Abbas Al-Kabeer Mosque in central Nasiriyah, led by His Eminence Sheikh Mohammed Mahdi Al-Nasiri.
First Sermon
Sheikh Al-Nasiri began his sermon with the words of Allah Almighty:
“And We have certainly diversified for the people in this Qur’an from every [kind of] example, but most of the people refused [anything] except disbelief” (Quran 17:89).
He emphasized that the Quran serves as a reliable source for believers, a guide they should turn to in every matter, problem, or difficulty. It is a comprehensive guide containing everything, as the Word of Allah is infallible, neither falsehood approaches it from before nor behind.
His Eminence pointed out that the Quran includes divine parables meant to guide people in every era, place, and field, ensuring their welfare and benefit.
He stressed that Allah intended for His servants to be connected to what the Quran teaches, as it addresses all matters—be they spiritual, behavioral, social, intellectual, or ethical. The Quran is a book of guidance, providing general principles for believers to follow.
Sheikh Al-Nasiri called on believers to adopt the Quran as the foundation of their culture, relying on its teachings rather than personal whims or hearsay. He urged them to trust in their relationship with Allah and their religion, following the Quran’s methodology, as well as that of the prophets, imams, scholars, and righteous individuals.
Second Sermon
In the second sermon, Sheikh Al-Nasiri addressed several key issues:
- The Right of the Self:
He discussed a passage from Imam Al-Sajjad’s Treatise on Rights concerning the right of the self:
“As for the right of your self against you, it is that you use it in obeying Allah. Thus, you must fulfill the rights of your tongue, hearing, sight, hands, feet, stomach, and private parts. Seek Allah’s assistance in doing so.”Sheikh Al-Nasiri explained that Imam Al-Sajjad intended to emphasize that the self is the foundation and driver of all actions. The Imam placed the self immediately after the right of Allah and obedience to Him, highlighting the need to refine and improve it.Among the most critical aspects of self-discipline is avoiding anger. Furthermore, the self has rights over a person, primarily using it to seek Allah’s pleasure and avoiding giving Satan any control over it. - Caution Against Misinterpreting Signs of the Reappearance:
Sheikh Al-Nasiri urged believers to avoid hastily connecting contemporary events to prophetic narrations about the signs of Imam Al-Mahdi’s (may Allah hasten his reappearance) emergence without clear evidence.He called for leaving such matters to qualified scholars and instead focusing on fulfilling one’s religious obligations, strengthening one’s relationship with Allah, and spreading His message of justice. He also encouraged believers to work on reforming themselves, their families, and their communities in line with their religious responsibilities.
